Today we celebrated Dora’s 33rd birthday! When trying to think of a theme for a party that fits each individual, it has been a tad difficult to think of themes for the new group who arrived almost one year ago(!). And since then, the two groups from the former Wildlife Waystation have come together to form a group of nine. Parties can sometimes be a very high arousal situation, which can result in some fierce competition, which in turn can sometimes lead into fights. So as with Mave’s party last month, we wanted to keep it exciting, but not too exciting. And as caregiver Grace just said passing by as I was trying to think of how to explain it to you all, “It was a big party of the tiniest things, for the tiniest person with a big personality.” What that means is we had tiny everything!
On today’s menu was: baby bananas, mini bell peppers, grape tomatoes, brussel sprouts, baby and mini carrots, baby beets, fingerling potatoes, mini cucumbers, and kumquats!
Even the other Tiny and her group were able to celebrate with tiny foods in honor of their neighbor, Dora!
And a huge thank you to Paulette Wrisley for sponsoring Dora’s big day and helping make today’s celebration possible!
Here are some photos from the celebrations!
Gordo foraging during the party:
Mave enjoying a mini cucumber:
Willy B foraging around:
Foxie with a mouthful of mini peppers:
Today’s birthday spread:
The Birthday Girl, Dora!
Dora and a peering Terry:
The birthday girl seemed quite pleased with her party:
Playtime with Honey B:
Happy Birthday, Dora!!!!
[Terrible art work was brought to you by a mysterious person and definitely NOT the enrichment coordinator ;)]
Linda C says
Lol, it’s not terrible, Chad….err…you can pass that along to the artiste! 😉
Love the variety of the tiny things–what a creative idea! Did everyone on both sides like that variety? What did the Boss get, if she was in the front rooms?
Lol, Terry’s not getting her food, either!
How did they keep them (relatively) calm at WW?
Tobin says
Dora is thirty-three? Viewing today’s video, she seems so much younger. A friend of mine says that Dora reminds her of a little human girl who she looks after on occasion. Perhaps, but I think that Dora makes an even better simian primate…after all, Maeve needs her very own Dora (and, perhaps, vice versa) As such, I am so glad that she is part of the chimpanzee colony in Kittitas County. I wish adorable Dora a happy birthday and a happy new year.
Pat F. says
You care givers gave Dora a lovely party and I’m sure she was delighted. Loved today’s celebration pictures and Thank You for the wonderful coverage.
Have a question, how much do the chimps vary in weight? It’s hard to tell from their pictures whether they are small or a large male.
Linda C says
Pat, shortly after this group arrived, they installed a scale, and told us aot of the chimps’ weight. There was a video where the chimps were inspecting the new equipment. I’ll see if I can find it.
Linda C says
Here it is, Pat.
Dora is around 48, and Gordo is 56, and Terry is 63 or 64 (all kg, and Cy would be even bigger).
https://youtu.be/HLL24PuQUP4
Arlene and Michael says
Happy birthday dear Dora. She has such a sweet face. It’s wonderful to see all of the Chimps enjoying themselves with their tiny foods. You all go through so much to make these parties so special for them. I love the theme and the banner is adorable:)
Linda C says
Chad,
Honey B as tickler/entertainment is way better than any clown!
How nicely it worked out that she had great playtime on her day!
Tobin says
Having first viewed the cinematic masterpiece “Shakes the Clown” (“The Citizen Kane of alcoholic birthday party clown movies,” gushed the critic for the Boston Globe) thirty years ago this evening, and having viewed it innumerable times since, I wish to second your opinion of Honey B’s talents for tickling and other birthday party entertainments.
Ken & Gracie the beagle says
what a wonderful video and perfect Birthday party for Dora! love seeing her smiling and laughing as Honey-B was tickling her.
the care and consideration you and everyone take with the chimpanzees is spot on imo and greatly appreciated. so nice and pray it continues group of 7 & 9.
thank you. :slight_smile::upside_down::slight_smile:
Kathleen says
Dora’s eyes-closed-laughing-face while playing with Honey B seems to sum up the day! The tiny everything theme was perfect and it looked as if even Willy B was calmly dining with the group and enjoying the festivities. Maybe with some time, this group will get the hang of celebrations after all.
Nice to see Negra back on the hill! Hope Jamie enjoyed some tiny food in her private suite.
Once again Chad, you outdid yourself. I enjoyed the party as much as Dora and the gang. A yummy fun time had by all. And thank you Paulette, CSNW’s personal Birthday Fairy supreme! The chimps are so fortunate to have you in their lives.
Paulette says
Thank you Kathleen. I’M the fortunate one. I love our precious chimps:heartbeat:
Tobin says
Having first viewed the cinematic masterpiece “Shakes the Clown” (“The Citizen Kane of alcoholic birthday party clown movies,” gushed the critic for the Boston Globe) thirty years ago this evening, and having viewed it innumerable times since, I wish to second your opinion of Honey B’s talents for tickling and other birthday party entertainments.
Paulette says
Dora is just soooooo adorable! I love how her friendship is blossoming with Honey B. So happy for both of them. I seem to recall before they came there I either read or heard that Dora was rather clingy and needed to be with someone always. I’m so glad she has more mates to hang out with. You can’t ask for any better than Mave and Honey B.
:birthday:Happiest birthday little Dora!!
Shout out to you too Chad! I loved the “tiny” theme.
Sandie Allaway says
Happy birthday Dora! This video brought me so much joy today. Thank you!
Marya says
I’ve had to read this post multiple times because I can’t get enough of it! Chad, thank you so much for including the link to Katelyn’s 2016 tribute to Foxie. I hadn’t yet discovered the sanctuary in ’16 but I’m so happy to have read that wonderful post (three times, including the tears that go with it!) I noticed that it appears Strawberry Shortcake or one of her sisters also attended Dora’s party (doll in mouth, of course). Everyone seemed so eager and happy, eating and playing with gusto all their tiny foods, including the science project of the raisin board. So good to learn that Negra is back out with the gang. Now about Katelyn’s comment about Jamie throwing poop — Geez, I’d have guessed it would be her, if anyone. Boss Woman States Her Opinion could be the title of a post about THAT topic!! I love ’em all, no matter what. It seems Dora doesn’t mind being around Terry in quiet moments despite his frequent amorous intentions.